MyMedR

Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 38 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Fulltext A detailed microscopic study of the changes in the aorta of experimental model of postmenopausal rats fed with repeatedly heated palm oil

Adam SK, Das S, Jaarin K

Int J Exp Pathol, 2009 Jun;90(3):321-7.
PMID: 19563614 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2613.2009.00658.x

Hypercholesterolaemia, increase in lipid peroxidation and hyperhomocysteinaemia may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This study was performed to examine the effects of repeatedly heated palm oil mixed with 2% cholesterol diet on atherosclerosis in oestrogen-deficient postmenopausal rats. Ovariectomy causes disruption of tunica intima layer of the rat aorta simulating a postmenopausal condition in females. Twenty-four ovariectomized female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. The control group received 2% cholesterol diet without palm oil. A diet with 2% cholesterol content fortified with fresh, once-heated and five-times-heated palm oil was given to the other treatment groups. The rats were sacrificed at the end of 4 months of study and the aortic arch tissue was processed for histomorphometry and electron microscopy. On observation, there was disruption of the intimal layer of the ovariectomized rat aorta. There was no obvious ultrastructural change in the aorta of the rats fed with fresh palm oil. The ultrastructural changes were minimal with once-heated palm oil, in which there was a focal disruption of the endothelial layer. The focal disruption was more pronounced with five-times-heated palm oil. The results of this study show that the ingestion of fresh palm oil may have a protective effect on the aorta but such a protective action may be lost when the palm oil is repeatedly heated. The study may be clinically important for all postmenopausal women who are susceptible to atherosclerosis.
Effect of palm vitamin E on the healing of ethanol-induced gastric injury in rats

Jaarin K, Renuvathani M, Nafeeza MI, Gapor MT

Int J Food Sci Nutr, 2000;51 Suppl:S31-41.
PMID: 11271855

The effect of palm vitamin E on the healing of ethanol-induced gastric lesions and various biochemical parameters were investigated. The study was divided into two phases. In the first phase of the study, 42 rats of Sprague Dawley species (200-250 gm weight) were randomly divided into two groups fed with a normal diet (control) or palm vitamin E enriched diet (150 mg/kg) for 3 weeks. The rats were killed after 3 weeks of feeding. Gastric tissue contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), prostaglandin E2 and acid were measured. In the second phase of the study 42 rats were divided into two groups. Group 1 was fed normal rat pellets (control) and group 2 was fed palm vitamin E enriched pellets (150 mg/kg food) for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks of feeding gastric mucosal injury was induced by an orogastric tube administration of 0.5 ml 100% ethanol. The rats were killed at 1 hour, 4 hours and 1 week after ethanol exposure for semiquantitative determination of ulcer index and gastric acid concentration. Gastric tissue MDA and mucus were measured only at 1 week after ethanol exposure. In the first phase of the study we found that palm vitamin E only caused a significant reduction in gastric MDA. However, it showed no significant effects on prostaglandin E2 and gastric acid concentration. In the second phase of the study, the mean ulcer index of palm vitamin E supplemented group killed after 1 week of ethanol exposure was significantly lower compared to the respective control. However, there was no significant difference in ulcer index in rats killed at 1 hour and 24 hours after ethanol exposure. The gastric acid concentration was significantly higher in the group treated with palm vitamin E killed 1 week after ethanol exposure compared to control. The gastric tissue MDA was significantly lower in the palm vitamin E supplemented group compared to control. There was no significant difference in gastric mucus content of the both groups. The ulcer healing which occurred in the presence of a high gastric acid suggests that the effect of palm vitamin E on the healing of gastric lesions was not mediated via a reduction in gastric acid nor was it mediated through increasing prostaglandin E2 or mucus production. The most probable mechanism is via reducing lipid peroxidation as reflected by a significant decreased in gastric tissue MDA content.
Comparative effect of palm vitamin E and ranitidine on the healing of ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats

Jaarin K, Renuvathani M, Nafeeza MI, Gapor MT

Int J Exp Pathol, 1999 Oct;80(5):259-63.
PMID: 10607016

The effect of palm vitamin E on the healing of ethanol-induced gastric lesion was compared with ranitidine. Fifty-six male rats of Sprague-Dawley species (200-250 g of weight) were randomly divided into three groups (N = 14). Gastric mucosal injury was induced by orogastric tube administration of 0.5 ml 100% ethanol. Immediately after induction, Group I (k) rats was fed with a normal diet (control), group II (p) was fed palm vitamin E enriched diet (150 mg/kg food), Group III(r) was treated with ranitidine 30 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally and Group IV (p + r) was fed with palm vitamin E and treated with ranitidine 30 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally of the same dose. The rats were killed at the end of 1 week and 3 weeks of treatment or feeding. The rate of gastric healing was faster in palm vitamin E treated group compared to control and ranitidine treated groups as shown by a lower mean ulcer index. The effect was seen as early as the first week of treatment whereas ranitidine did not show any healing effect even after 3 weeks of therapy. Neither gastric acidity nor gastric mucus production are involved in gastroprotective effect of palm vitamin E. The most probable mechanism is via reducing lipid peroxidation process as shown by a significant decrease in gastric MDA.
Effects of nicardipine on lipid peroxidation in rabbits given 2% cholesterol diet

Ismail NM, Jaarin K, Vasudevan SK, Hashim S

Pharmacol. Toxicol., 1995 Jul;77(1):10-5.
PMID: 8532606

Nicardipine has been shown to have an anti-atherogenic effect in rabbits given a 2% cholesterol diet. Current evidence suggests that lipid peroxidation plays an important role in atherogenesis. This study examines the effect of nicardipine on lipid peroxidation in rabbits given a 2% cholesterol diet, 8 of these rabbits given nicardipine 0.5 mg/kg twice daily intramuscularly for ten weeks while the remaining untreated 6 were controls. After ten weeks, serum malondialdehyde in the control group was significantly higher compared to their baseline levels (P < 0.05). However, there was no increase in serum malondialdehyde in the nicardipine group after 10 weeks. The area of Sudan IV positive intimal lesions (atherosclerotic plaques) were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in the treated group compared to the control group. The aortic tissue content of cholesterol and diene conjugates were also decreased in the nicardipine group (P < 0.01). These findings suggest a possible link between nicardipine and lipid peroxidation in mediating its antiatherogenic effects.
Influence of dietary fat on plasma lipid profiles of Malaysian adolescents

Marzuki A, Arshad F, Razak TA, Jaarin K

Am J Clin Nutr, 1991 04;53(4 Suppl):1010S-1014S.
PMID: 1901440 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/53.4.1010S

We studied the effects of saturated (palm olein) and polyunsaturated (soybean oil) cooking oils on the lipid profiles of Malaysian male adolescents eating normal Malaysian diets for 5 wk. Diets cooked with palm olein did not significantly alter plasma total-cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol concentrations or the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol compared with diets cooked with soybean oil. However, the diet cooked with palm olein significantly increased apolipoprotein A-I (11%) and apolipoprotein B (9%) concentrations. Unexpectedly, soybean-oil-cooked diets caused a significant increase (47%) in plasma triglycerides compared with palm-olein-cooked diets. We conclude that palm olein, when used as cooking oil, has no detrimental effects on plasma lipid profiles in Malaysian adolescents.
The effects of heated vegetable oils on blood pressure in rats

Jaarin K, Mustafa MR, Leong XF

Clinics (Sao Paulo), 2011;66(12):2125-32.
PMID: 22189740

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine the possible mechanism that is involved in the blood pressure-raising effect of heated vegetable oils.
METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 11 groups; the control group was fed with rat chow, and the other groups were fed with chow that was mixed with 15% weight/weight palm or soy oils, which were either in a fresh form or heated once, twice, five, or ten times. Blood pressures were measured at the baseline and throughout the 24-week study. Plasma nitric oxide levels were assessed prior to treatment and at the end of the study. Following 24 weeks, the rats were sacrificed to investigate their vascular reactivity using the thoracic aorta.
RESULTS: Palm and soy oils had no detrimental effects on blood pressure, and they significantly elevated the nitric oxide contents and reduced the contractile responses to phenylephrine. However, trials using palm and soy oils that were repeatedly heated showed an increase in blood pressure, enhanced phenylephrine-induced contractions, reduced acetylcholine- and sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxations relative to the control and rats that were fed fresh vegetable oils.
CONCLUSIONS: The blood pressure-raising effect of the heated vegetable cooking oils is associated with increased vascular reactivity and a reduction in nitric oxide levels. The chronic consumption of heated vegetable oils leads to disturbances in endogenous vascular regulatory substances, such as nitric oxide. The thermal oxidation of the cooking oils promotes the generation of free radicals and may play an important contributory role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in rats.
Fulltext Animal Models in Cardiovascular Research: Hypertension and Atherosclerosis

Leong XF, Ng CY, Jaarin K

Biomed Res Int, 2015;2015:528757.
PMID: 26064920 DOI: 10.1155/2015/528757

Hypertension and atherosclerosis are among the most common causes of mortality in both developed and developing countries. Experimental animal models of hypertension and atherosclerosis have become a valuable tool for providing information on etiology, pathophysiology, and complications of the disease and on the efficacy and mechanism of action of various drugs and compounds used in treatment. An animal model has been developed to study hypertension and atherosclerosis for several reasons. Compared to human models, an animal model is easily manageable, as compounding effects of dietary and environmental factors can be controlled. Blood vessels and cardiac tissue samples can be taken for detailed experimental and biomolecular examination. Choice of animal model is often determined by the research aim, as well as financial and technical factors. A thorough understanding of the animal models used and complete analysis must be validated so that the data can be extrapolated to humans. In conclusion, animal models for hypertension and atherosclerosis are invaluable in improving our understanding of cardiovascular disease and developing new pharmacological therapies.
Fulltext Nigella sativa and Its Protective Role in Oxidative Stress and Hypertension

Leong XF, Rais Mustafa M, Jaarin K

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2013;2013:120732.
PMID: 23533459 DOI: 10.1155/2013/120732

Hypertension increases the risk for a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease. The increase in oxidative stress has been associated with the pathogenesis of hypertension. Increase of blood pressure is due to an imbalance between antioxidants defence mechanisms and free radical productions. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species reduces nitric oxide bioavailability leading to an endothelial dysfunction and a subsequent increase in total peripheral resistance. Hypertension can cause few symptoms until it reaches the advanced stage and poses serious health problems with lifelong consequences. Hypertensive patients are required to take drugs for life to control the hypertension and prevent complications. Some of these drugs are expensive and may have adverse reactions. Hence, it is timely to examine scientifically, complimentary therapies that are more effective and with minimal undesirable effects. Nigella sativa (NS) and its active constituents have been documented to exhibit antioxidant, hypotensive, calcium channel blockade and diuretic properties which may contribute to reduce blood pressure. This suggests a potential role of NS in the management of hypertension, and thus more studies should be conducted to evaluate its effectiveness.
Fulltext Effects of captopril on factors affecting gastric mucosal integrity in aspirin-induced gastric lesions in Sprague-Dawley rats

Ismail NM, Ibrahim IA, Hashim NB, Jaarin K

Arch Med Sci, 2013 Dec 30;9(6):1132-7.
PMID: 24482662 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2012.31252

INTRODUCTION: Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, which is used as an antihypertensive agent and has shown antioxidant properties. This study aims at determining the effects of captopril on factors affecting gastric mucosal integrity in aspirin-induced gastric lesions.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley (200-250 g) rats that were given aspirin (40 mg/100 g body weight) were divided into three groups: the control, captopril (1 mg/100 g body weight daily) and ranitidine (2.5 mg/100 g body weight twice daily) groups. Ranitidine and captopril were given orally for 28 days. Rats in all groups were sacrificed and the parameters measured.
RESULTS: Captopril reduced gastric acidity, and increased gastric glutathione (GSH) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) significantly in comparison to the control group. Captopril also reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and gastric lesions insignificantly compared to the control group. Ranitidine healed the lesions significantly compared to the control group. There was no difference between ranitidine and captopril on the severity of lesions, gastric acidity, MDA and GSH. Captopril increased PGE2 compared to ranitidine (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Captopril has desirable effects on the factors affecting gastric mucosal integrity (acidity, PGE2 and GSH) and is comparable to ranitidine in ulcer healing.
KEYWORDS: aspirin; captopril; gastric lesions; ranitidine
Fulltext The role of repeatedly heated soybean oil in the development of hypertension in rats: association with vascular inflammation

Ng CY, Kamisah Y, Faizah O, Jaarin K

Int J Exp Pathol, 2012 Oct;93(5):377-87.
PMID: 22974219 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2613.2012.00839.x

Thermally oxidized oil generates reactive oxygen species that have been implicated in several pathological processes including hypertension. This study was to ascertain the role of inflammation in the blood pressure raising effect of heated soybean oil in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups and were fed with the following diets, respectively, for 6 months: basal diet (control); fresh soybean oil (FSO); five-time-heated soybean oil (5HSO); or 10-time-heated soybean oil (10HSO). Blood pressure was measured at baseline and monthly using tail-cuff method. Plasma prostacyclin (PGI(2) ) and thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2) ) were measured prior to treatment and at the end of the study. After six months, the rats were sacrificed, and the aortic arches were dissected for morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. Blood pressure was increased significantly in the 5HSO and 10HSO groups. The blood pressure was maintained throughout the study in rats fed FSO. The aortae in the 5HSO and 10HSO groups showed significantly increased aortic wall thickness, area and circumferential wall tension. 5HSO and 10HSO diets significantly increased plasma TXA(2) /PGI(2) ratio. Endothelial VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were significantly increased in 5HSO, as well as LOX-1 in 10HSO groups. In conclusion, prolonged consumption of repeatedly heated soybean oil causes blood pressure elevation, which may be attributed to inflammation.
Fulltext Association of elevated blood pressure and impaired vasorelaxation in experimental Sprague-Dawley rats fed with heated vegetable oil

Leong XF, Mustafa MR, Das S, Jaarin K

Lipids Health Dis, 2010;9:66.
PMID: 20573259 DOI: 10.1186/1476-511X-9-66

Poor control of blood pressure leads to hypertension which is a major risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to explore possible mechanisms of elevation in blood pressure following consumption of heated vegetable oil.
Enzymatic and microstructural changes in the liver of experimental rats fed with fatty diet and fresh or heated soy oil concurrently

Jaarin K, Hwa TC, Umar NA, Siti Aishah MA, Das S

Clin Ter, 2010;161(5):429-33.
PMID: 21057734

Consumption of heated edible oils may be harmful. The present study aimed to observe the histological changes due to concurrent consumption of soy oil (either fresh or heated) and fatty diet and the changes in the level of alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
Vitamin E and factors affecting atherosclerosis in rabbits fed a cholesterol-rich diet

Ismail NM, Abdul Ghafar N, Jaarin K, Khine JH, Top GM

Int J Food Sci Nutr, 2000;51 Suppl:S79-94.
PMID: 11271860

The present study aims to examine the effects of a palm-oil-derived vitamin E mixture containing tocotrienol (approximately 70%) and tocopherol (approximately 30%) on plasma lipids and on the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in rabbits given a 2% cholesterol diet. Eighteen New Zealand White rabbits (2.2-2.8 kg) were divided into three groups; group 1 (control) was fed a normal diet, group 2 (AT) was fed a 2% cholesterol diet and group 3 (PV) was fed a 2% cholesterol diet with oral palm vitamin E (60 mg/kg body weight) given daily for 10 weeks. There were no differences in the total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels between the AT and PV groups. The PV group had a significantly higher concentrations of HDL-c and a lower TC/HDL-c ratio compared to the AT group (P < 0.003). The aortic tissue content of cholesterol and atherosclerotic lesions were comparable in both the AT and PV groups. However, the PV group had a lower content of plasma and aortic tissue malondialdehyde (P < 0.005). Our findings suggest that despite a highly atherogenic diet, palm vitamin E improved some important plasma lipid parameters, reduced lipid peroxidation but did not have an effect on the atherosclerotic plaque formation.
Fulltext Effect of various doses of palm vitamin E and tocopherol on aspirin-induced gastric lesions in rats

Jaarin K, Gapor MT, Nafeeza MI, Fauzee AM

Int J Exp Pathol, 2002 Dec;83(6):295-302.
PMID: 12657138 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2613.2002.00242.x

This study examined the effects of vitamin E on the prevention of aspirin-induced gastric lesions. The study was divided into two phases. Phase 1 determined the effects of various doses of palm vitamin E on the factors affecting mucosal integrity. Thirty-two male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain (200-250 g) were randomly divided into four groups. Group I was fed a normal diet (control), Groups II, III and IV were fed a diet supplemented with palm vitamin E in a dose of 60 mg/kg food, 100 mg/kg food and 150 mg/kg food, respectively. The rats were killed after 4 weeks of feeding for the determination of gastric malondialdehyde (MDA), acid and mucus content. There was a significant decrease in gastric MDA and gastric acid in all the palm vitamin E supplemented groups compared to control. However, these doses of palm vitamin E had no significant effect on gastric mucus. The phase 2 study determined the effect of multiple doses of palm vitamin E and tocopherol on the prevention of aspirin-induced gastric lesions. Fifty rats of the same weight and strain were randomized into seven groups. Group I was fed a normal diet; groups II to IV were fed with a palm vitamin E enriched diet in doses of 60 mg, 100 mg and 150 mg/kg food, respectively; groups V to VII were fed with a tocopherol-enriched diet in doses of 20 mg, 30 mg and 50 mg/kg food, respectively. After 4 weeks of feeding with the respective diets the rats were challenged with a single intra-gastric dose of 400 mg/kg body weight aspirin suspended in propylene glycol. The rats were killed 6 h post-aspirin exposure for the determination of gastric lesion index and gastric parameters as mentioned in the phase I study. The gastric lesions index was significantly lower in all the vitamin E groups compared to control. The lowest ulcer index was observed in the groups that received 100 mg of palm vitamin E and 30 mg tocopherol in the diet. However, there was no significant difference in ulcer indices between palm vitamin E and tocopherol-treated groups. The lower ulcer index was only accompanied by lower gastric MDA content. We conclude that both palm vitamin E in doses of 60 mg, 100 mg and 150 mg/kg food as well as tocopherol in doses of 20 mg, 30 mg and 50 mg/kg food are equally effective in preventing aspirin-induced gastric lesions. The most probable mechanism is through their ability in limiting the lipid peroxidation that is involved in aspirin-induced gastric lesions.
Palm vitamin E and the healing of ethanol-induced gastric lesions

Ismail NM, Jaarin K, Ahmad A, Marzuki A, Ng WK, Gapor MT

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr, 1999 Dec;8(4):258-62.
PMID: 24394225

The main focus of the study was to examine the effect of palm vitamin E (a tocotrienol-enriched fraction of palm oil) on the healing of ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions. The study was divided into three sections.Study 1 determined the gastric content of vitamin E after dietary supplementation with palm vitamin E for 3 weeks. Seven rats were fed a normal diet and another 7 were fed a palm vitamin E-enriched diet (150 mg/kg food). The gastric content of vitamin E levels were higher in rats fed with a palm vitamin E-enriched diet (p<0.01). Study 2 determined the time-dependent effects of palm vitamin E on gastric lesions and gastric acidity postethanol administration. Two groups of rats were fed either a normal rat diet or a palm vitamin E-enriched diet (150 mg/kg food). After 3 weeks, the control and a treated group received a single intragastric dose of 100% ethanol. Assessment of gastric lesions after 1 week showed a lower gastric lesion index in the palm vitamin E group compared with the controls (p<0.05) but there was no difference in the gastric acid content after 1 week between the two groups. Study 3 determined the effects of palm vitamin E on the gastric tissue content of malondialdehyde (MDA), PGE2 and gastric acidity without ethanol administration. The MDA content was lower in the palm vitamin E-treated group (p<0.05). However, the gastric acid and PGE2 content in both groups did not differ. The findings suggest that feeding with a palm vitamin E-enriched diet (150 mg/kg food) for 3 weeks resulted in a significant concentration of vitamin E in the gastric tissue. It was concluded that palm vitamin E may promote the healing of ethanol-induced gastric lesions through minimizing the lipid preoccupation process in the gastric mucous.
Heated palm oil causes rise in blood pressure and cardiac changes in heart muscle in experimental rats

Leong XF, Aishah A, Nor Aini U, Das S, Jaarin K

Arch Med Res, 2008 Aug;39(6):567-72.
PMID: 18662587 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2008.04.009

Palm oil used worldwide contains considerable amounts of antioxidants, namely, vitamin E and carotenes. The purpose of the study was to observe the effect of heated palm oil on blood pressure and observe the cardiac histological changes in rats.
Erratum: Effects of citrus leaf extract on aortic vascular reactivity in hypertensive rats fed repeatedly heated vegetable oil

Siti HN, Kamisah Y, Mohamed S, Jaarin K

Appl Physiol Nutr Metab, 2019 07;44(7):804.
PMID: 31237792 DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2019-0390
Effects of citrus leaf extract on aortic vascular reactivity in hypertensive rats fed repeatedly heated vegetable oil

Siti HN, Kamisah Y, Mohamed S, Jaarin K

Appl Physiol Nutr Metab, 2019 04;44(4):373-380.
PMID: 30216735 DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2018-0175

The prolonged intake of diet containing repeatedly heated vegetable oil can cause hypertension in the long run.
In this study, the effects of citrus leaf extract (CLE) supplementation on vascular reactivity, plasma nitrite, and aortic structure in hypertensive rats were investigated by the consumption of repeatedly heated vegetable oil [corrected]. Male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 56) were divided into 7 groups corresponding to the respective diets. For 16 weeks, 1 group was given standard rat chow (control) while other groups were given diets containing 15% w/w of palm oil, fresh palm oil (FPO), palm oil heated 5 times (5HPO), and palm oil heated 10 times (10HPO), with or without the incorporation of 0.15% w/w CLE (FPO+CLE, 5HPO+CLE, or 10HPO+CLE). Plasma nitrite levels were measured before and at 16 weeks of treatment. After 16 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and aortae were harvested for measuring vascular reactivity and for microscopic study. CLE supplementation had significantly reduced the loss of plasma nitrite and attenuated the vasoconstriction response to phenylephrine in the 5HPO group but not in the 10HPO group. However, CLE had no significant effect on the vasorelaxation response to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. The elastic lamellae of tunica media in 5HPO, 10HPO, and 10HPO+CLE groups appeared disorganised and disrupted. Obtained findings suggested that CLE was able to enhance nitric oxide bioavailability that might dampen the vasoconstriction effect of phenylephrine.
Parkia speciosa empty pod prevents hypertension and cardiac damage in rats given N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester

Kamisah Y, Zuhair JSF, Juliana AH, Jaarin K

Biomed Pharmacother, 2017 Dec;96:291-298.
PMID: 28992471 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.09.095

Parkia speciosa Hassk is a plant found abundantly in Southeast Asia region. Its seeds with or without pods and roots have been used in traditional medicine in this region to treat hypertension. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the potential effect of the plant empty pod extract on hypertension development and changes in heart induced by N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) administration in rats. Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Groups 1 to 3 were given l-NAME (25mg/kg, intraperitoneally) for 8 weeks. Groups 2 and 3 were also given Parkia speciosa empty pods methanolic extract (800mg/kg, orally) and nicardipine (3mg/kg, orally), concurrently with l-NAME. The last group served as the control. l-NAME reduced plasma nitric oxide level and therefore, increased systolic blood pressure, angiotensin-converting enzyme and NADPH oxidase activities as well as lipid peroxidation in the heart. Parkia speciosa extract and nicardipine treatments had significantly prevented the elevations of blood pressure, angiotensin-converting enzyme, NADPH oxidase activities and lipid peroxidation in the heart induced by the l-NAME. Parkia speciosa extract but not nicardipine prevented the reduction in plasma nitric oxide level caused by l-NAME. In conclusion, Parkia speciosa empty pods methanolic extract has a potential to prevent the development of hypertension possibly by preventing the loss of plasma nitric oxide, as well as has cardioprotective effects by reducing angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and oxidative stress in the heart in rats administered l-NAME.
Fulltext Palm vitamin E and glucosamine sulphate in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee

Haflah NH, Jaarin K, Abdullah S, Omar M

Saudi Med J, 2009 Nov;30(11):1432-8.
PMID: 19882056

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of oral palm vitamin E in reducing symptoms of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee compared to oral glucosamine sulphate.
METHODS: This open study was carried out at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between March 2006 and November 2007. Seventy-nine patients were recruited to receive either 1.5 g oral glucosamine sulphate or 400 mg oral palm vitamin E for 6 months. Symptoms were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index and visual analogue scale (VAS).
RESULTS: Sixty-four patients completed the trial (vitamin E n=33, glucosamine sulfate n=31). After 6 months of treatment, both groups showed a significant improvement in WOMAC scale and significant reduction in the VAS score during standing and walking. There was no significant difference in WOMAC scale and VAS score between the 2 groups. Except for mild allergic reaction and abdominal discomfort in one patient, there were no other serious adverse effects reported. Serum malondialdehyde was significantly higher in the glucosamine group compared to palm vitamin E treated group at the end of the study. Serum of vitamin E was significantly higher in the palm vitamin E group compared to glucosamine.
CONCLUSION: The finding of this study suggests that oral palm vitamin E in a dose of 400 mg taken daily has a potential role in reducing symptoms of patients with OA of the knee. It may be just as effective as glucosamine sulphate in reducing the symptoms and free from serious side effects. Further study is required to ascertain the mechanism of action beside its antioxidant effect.

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links